GAME REPORT

Gambrinus JME Brno 87 - MiZo Pecsi VSK 78

In a match-up of the two top teams in Group B, Brno struck the first psychological blow of EuroLeague season with their defeat of Pecs, who they remove from the top spot in the group.

Pecs produced the better start to the game and quickly got off the mark through 3-pointers from Albena Branzova (who was MVP of the first week of the competition) and Andrea Károlyi. The aggressive Pecs offense was causing Brno problems, but they held on and at the break, the Hungarians held a 1-point lead, 20:21.

Brno rallied in the 2nd quarter and good 3-point shooting from Zuzana Zirková and Hana Machova saw them take the lead. They finished the first half ahead, 39:35, but Zirková had already picked up 4 fouls.

Zirková's absence did not seem to affect the Czechs adversely, and in the 3rd quarter they surged ahead. Brno forward Eva Vitecková hit 2 quick 3-pointers and after 2 timeouts, point guard Romana Hamzova scored to take Brno's lead to 16-points, 57:43.

Pecs coach László Rátgéber tried several different rotations in the 4th quarter to try to get his side back into the game, but Brno were in full control and won, 87:78.

Chantelle Anderson had a game high 21 points for Pecs.

Viteckova was Brno's top scorer with 16 points (6/8 shooting) and was named MVP. She was ably assisted by Rankica Sarenac (15 points) and the Brno backcourt of Machova and Hamzova who combined for 28 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists.

COACH QUOTES

Quotes Brno - Pécs

László Rátgéber, Head Coach, MiZo Pécs:

"We had a very hard program in last week because we played three very difficult games and we had to travel a lot. Our players were tired. This is why we began quite good but made a lot of mistakes in the second period. Brno, however, showed an excellent performance in the second half."

Jan Bobrovsky, Head Coach, Gambrinus JME Brno:

"We played a lot better than last week, when we lost at home game against Parma. The game was decided in the third quarter, when we had a very good defense and a high quote from the three-points line. In the last quarter I was disappointed, because we made a lot of mistakes due to pressing of Pecs."